Kanye West stepped from behind the boards and into the booth to release his debut album The College Dropout back in 2004 on the legendary Roc-A-Fella record label. Ten years later, the now multi-platinum album is heralded as one of the purest classics in hip hop history and aligns Mr. West with other rap kings like Nas, The Notorious B.I.G. and big brother Jay Z as undoubtedly producing a potent introductory project.

From the opening impersonation of Bernie Mac performed by Deray Davis to the glass-raising “Last Call,” each verse, beat and feature has etched it’s importance in the grand composition of the hour, but there were only a handful of the most impactful tracks on The College Dropout. And here they are. 

1. “All Falls Down” feat. Syleena Johnson

Bringing the soulful voice of Syleena Johnson to this track, Kanye created one of the most relatable songs of his career with “All Falls Down.” One of Kanye’s most notable attributes here, and even today, is his ability to look into himself and make you feel what he does. The strategy to show this entire video from his perspective drove that point home.

2. “Spaceships” feat. GLC and Consequence

This is a song that represents a common struggle: hoping ambition takes you away from your piss-poor situation. This is an everyday man’s tale that touts brutal honesty from the beginning with the classic “If my manager insults me again…” line all the way to GLC and Consequence’s standout features.

3. “Jesus Walks”

“Jesus Walks” may not be Kanye’s best song, but it may be the one to have the clearest message. Ten years later, we’ve seen Kanye’s stance on religion in a variety of ways, but it all started with this record supporting christianity. It’s not only one of the most impactful songs on the album, but of Kanye’s career, as well as in hip hop music. It established his position as a controversial artist, constantly challenge radio and popular media. The visual went on to contribute its own set of memories, like the ever-infamous dance that Ye oh-so eloquently executes in the visuals.

4. “Last Call”

For anyone that doubted Kanye’s punchline ability, tell that to his “African American Express” and “mayonnaise colored Benz (miracle whip)” bars. Yeezy celebratory send-off “Last Call” makes everything on the album come full circle and leaves the listener feeling like they know Ye on a personal level. Starting with a classic Hov laugh, Ye spends the final 9 minutes of the album recollecting on how he got to that point. Ye’s non-lyrical storytelling, full of shoutouts, flawlessly bookends an incredible body of work.

5. “Through The Wire” 

It’s ironic that this track makes it at the number 5 spot on our list given the general consensus that it’s what started everything. This soulful record allowed listeners to peer into who Kanye West was as a young, black man in Chicago. Ye recorded this song after a near fatal car accident, which led to Kanye’s jaw being wired shut, which you can easily hear in his delivery. “Through the Wire” was raw emotion, determination and a love of Chicago (s/o to all of the local Southside spots featured in the video like Leon’ Bar-B-Q and The Regal Theater). Kanye’s bars over the Chaka Khan sample is a moment that hip hop will always cherish that solidified his role as a hometown hero.